Switch



I Nov. 5, 1929. ,F. ELLIS 1,734,851

SWITCH Filed Oct. 28, 1927 TTTTTTT EY Patented Nov. 5; 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRENCH ELLIS, OF MQANDREWS, KENTU KY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOSEPH A. HELM, OF STONE, KENTUCKY Application filed October 28, 1927. Serial No. 229,376.

The present invention relates to electric switches for use in a system of electric motor control.

An object of the invention is to provide a switch which will be automatically operable upon the connection of a contact member with a source of supply of electric energy.

A further object is to provide a switch which will be operable by selective means so that contacts may be brought into operative relation when one of several contacts with a source of electric energy is made.

In the present device contact is made through two switches having electro-magnets and associated armatures connected therewith and an object of the invention is to provide against the simultaneous operation of the two switch elements.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following specification and claims.

The device is particularly useful in connection with electric locomotives and more particularl to the typ'in which a trolley mechaigism or the supply of current is made use 0 The type of locomotive in question is used in and about coal mines and is provided with an extensible contact device whereby cars may be run out on temporary tracks away from the trolley and which is provided with a reel mechanism for taking up the conductor cable used for this purpose.

I The figure in the drawing shows the switch and the connection thereof specifically with the cable and with the trolley pole, the same being shown diagrammatically in connection with the motor.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the

I switch mechanism designated generally by the reference numeral 10, comprises a base member 26 constituting a support upon which a soft iron supporting structure 27 is mounted, the same being secured to the wooden member 26 by means of screw bolts 28. The member 27 is substantially T-shaped, the arms 29 thereof extending latterly adjacent the support 26 and having mounted thereon solenoids 30 and 31 of electromagnets that are provided with cores 32 and 33 and pivotally supported armatures 34 and 35, the armathrough the conductor 4 tures having enlarged heads extending upon opposite sides of the adjacent ends thereof and being pivoted to the vertical arm of the T-shaped member 27 at 36 and 37 38 designates a reel upon which is mounted a cable 39 having a hook 4O thereon adapted to'be placed over a trolley wire 41 and having also connected thereto a hook 42 adapted to be connected with a track designated at 43. The cable is of the usual type used in connection with mine cars and is in electrical connection through the conductor 44 diagrammatically shown with a contact member 45 mounted upon and secured to thebase 26. The trolley pole 46 is similarly in electrical contact through the conductor 47 with a contact mefn'ber 48 also mounted on the supporting' base member 26. The armatures 34 andv 35 are provided with detachable contact members 49 and 50 adapted to contact with substantially like shaped detachable members on the contact member 45 and 48 when the respective solenoids 30 and 31 are energized, the detachable members having outwardly flared confronting faces. The windings of the solenoids are electrically connected as at 51 and 52 with the respective contact members 45 and 48, the other ends of the solenoid windings are grounded as at 53 and 54. When either the trolley pole or the hook 40 on the end of the cable are placed upon the trolley wire 41, current will pass through the respective solenoids energizing the same and causing the respective armatures to be drawn to the cores 30 and 33 thereby effecting contact between the contact members 45 and 49, 48 and 50 respectively whereby electrical energy is transmitted to the motor as designated at 55. More specifically when the hook 40 is hung on the trolley wire, an electric current will pass therefrom through the conductor 44, the contact member 45, the solenoid 30 and to the ground whereupon the armature 34 will be drawn upward causing a contact between the members 45 and 49 which will place the motor 55 in circuit. Similarly when the trolley wheel on the pole 46 is placed in contact with'the trolley wire, current will pass throng the trolley pole 46,

,the contact member 48 and through the winding of the solenoid to and arranged in the path of the other head to the ground energizing this solenoid 31 and p event simultaneous operation of the arcausing armature to be drawn upward maturesmaking contact between the members l8 and In testimony whereof I aflix my Signature.

5 whereby electrical energy is permitted to flow to the motor. The contact members 49 FRENCH ELLIS. and 50 are secured to lever arms 56 and 57 respectively, said lever arms being pivotally secured to the outer end of the armatures m and held normally in operative position by springs 58 and 59 abutting against the lever and shoulders 60 and 61 formed by the heads of the armatures. To prevent the simultaneous action of the two armatures 34 and 15 35, a stop device 62 is provided on the head 30 one of said armatures, which may be in the nature of an adjustable screw arranged in such relationship to the armatures that when one of them is drawn to the corresponding 20 electro-magnet, the other Will be prevented by said stop member from' movement toward its electro-magnet. Itis thought from the foregoing descrip tion that the advantages and novel features 25 of my invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall Within 30 the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention What I claim is:

1. A switch of the character described comprising a base member, a T-shaped support- 35 ing structure secured to said base member,

solenoids mounted on the horizontal arms of the T-shaped supporting structure, armatures for the solenoids having one of their ends pi-votally secured to the vertical arm of 40 the T-shape member, spring pressed contact 5 members pivoted to the opposite ends of the armatures, stationary contact members mounted on the base member and arranged in the path of the pivoted contact members, 45 and means carried by one of the armatures and arranged in the path of the other armature to prevent simultaneous operation of the armatures.

2. A switch of the character described com- 50 prising a base member, a T-shaped supporting structure secured to said base member, solenoids mounted on the horizontal arms of the T-shaped supporting structure and disposed upon opposite sides of the vertical arm thereof, armaturesffor the solenoids having heads formed on one of their ends with the heads pivotally secured to the vertical arm of the T-shaped supporting structure, levers pivotally secured to the opposite ends of said 50 armatures, contact members carried by said lev'ers, coil springs between. the heads and levers for engagement therewith, stationary contact members arranged in the path of the lever carried contact members, and means 35 carried by one of the heads of an armature 

